Five questions for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho during the international break

Five questions for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho during the international break

1/5
How can I protect Diego Costa?

A huge part of Chelsea’s early-season success has been the form of Diego Costa. The Spanish striker has taken to the Premier League like a duck-to-water with an incredible nine goals in his first seven games.
However, his fragile hamstrings are the source of great worry for Mourinho and the Chelsea manager had demanded that Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque allow Costa the international break to rest and recover.
Spain travel to Slovakia and Luxembourg in European Championship qualifiers and Mourinho will hope the relatively simple nature of the fixtures will ensure that his star-striker is used sparingly.

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2/5
How can I ensure smooth passage through the Champions League group stage?

As the fixture list intensifies in the run up to Christmas, Mourinho can further protect Diego Costa by ensuring swift qualification to the Champions League knockout phases.
Having taken four points from their opening two games at home to Schalke (pictured) and away to Sporting Lisbon, two victories against Slovenian minnows NK Maribor will all but see Chelsea through.
Getting this out of the way will enable Mourinho to rest the likes of Costa in their final two group stage fixtures and keep him fresh for the league.

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3/5
How do I ensure we don’t come unstuck in less glamorous fixtures?

Last season Chelsea’s record against their title rivals was almost flawless, but a spate of defeats, generally away from home, to less fancied sides, ultimately cost Mourinho the title.
One of the Blues’ most crucial defeats came away to Crystal Palace in late March and they will return to Selhurst Park on October 18 in their first fixture after the international break.
A victory can further cement the idea that this is a very different Chelsea side to that of last season - a relentless Mourinho-machine than can run away with the title.

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4/5
To shake or not to shake?

In Chelsea’s last two Premier League fixtures, Mourinho has failed to secure a full-time handshake from either Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert, or Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
He appeared to offend the Villa boss as he offered his hand five minutes before the final whistle, with Chelsea cruising to a 3-0 victory. Lambert pointed to his watch, told Mourinho to get lost and off the Portuguese went down the tunnel.
While yesterday, Wenger’s frustration at his continued failure to secure a victory over Mourinho appeared to boil over as the two engaged, as a physical confrontation ensued after a dangerous Gary Cahill challenge.
There was little surprise at full time when the pair ignored each other. When the Blues take on Palace in two weeks time, will Mourinho be able to remain on good enough terms with Neil Warnock to share a warm full-time embrace?

5/5
How do I maintain free-flowing football?

Chelsea’s start to the season hasn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone, but the way they have played, even with the addition of the string-pulling Cesc Fabregas to their midfield, has impressed just about everyone.
It goes against Mourinho’s natural instincts to place greater emphasis on scoring goals than keeping clean sheets, but it has worked so far.
Admittedly, Mourinho has tightened his tactics in the big games against City and Arsenal, but for the rest of the time it has been total football from the Blues.
As long as Chelsea fans continue to see high-quality goals fly in most weeks, the occasional traditional, grinding Mourinho performance against the most dangerous opposition won’t bother Blues fans.

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Asked whether Mourinho was the most intelligent manager he’s ever worked under, Ibrahimovic responded: “Yes. In the way he approaches players and – ‘manipulates’ is the wrong word – gets them very pumped up? No doubt.”